A consortium of Latvian scientific institutions is beginning work on the research project PeatTransform – “Research- and innovation-based solutions for moving the peat industry towards a climate-neutral economy, promoting the sustainable use of Latvia's natural resources”. The research project will help transform Latvia's peat industry from a significant source of emissions into a climate-neutral sector of the economy by 2050, while at the same time strengthening Latvia's research capacity and innovation potential.

PeatTransform will be carried out from 2025 to 2029 by the Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava” (lead partner), the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, the Institute for Environmental Solutions, the Institute of Horticulture and the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics, with co-financing from the European Union and the Latvian state totalling EUR 5,588,265. Companies and associations from the peat industry will also be involved in the research project.

Peat is an important natural resource in Latvia, widely used in horticulture, forestry and agriculture, both on the domestic market and for export. The industry provides jobs and export revenue and contributes to regional development, yet its extraction and use generate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and affect peatlands.

PeatTransform is aimed at a scientifically grounded, balanced and realistic path towards climate neutrality for the peat industry, taking into account both the conservation of biological diversity and socio-economic aspects – particularly in the regions of Latvia where the industry plays a significant role: Kurzeme, Latgale, Vidzeme and Zemgale.

The aim of PeatTransform is to establish a research platform and centre of excellence in order to strengthen research capacity and competences, encourage the transfer of knowledge and technology to Latvia's peat industry and related sectors, and promote international cooperation in research on the sustainable use of natural resources.

The main research areas of PeatTransform:

·        Measurement and modelling of GHG emissions, refining the GHG inventory methodology so that it reflects the peat industry's actual emissions more accurately.

·        Recultivation, or further use, of degraded peatlands and historical peat extraction sites by developing innovative solutions – paludiculture (medicinal and biomass plants), hydrological stabilisation methods and agrivoltaic solutions (solar panels above plantings); as well as monitoring the effectiveness of recultivation through remote sensing.

·        Development of new products with a low carbon footprint and high added value – extracts, composite materials, thermal insulation and 3D printing materials, as well as growing substrates using alternative local raw materials (mosses, reeds, wood fibre, wool); life cycle analysis of the products.

·        Development of technologies that reduce GHG emissions and promote carbon sequestration in peat products; research into the reuse of substrates.

·        Socio-economic assessment – evaluation of the impact of peat extraction, processing and recultivation in the domestic and export context.

·        Development of future scenarios for the use of historical and recultivated peat extraction sites, sustainability guidelines for peatland restoration, and recommendations for the introduction of carbon and biodiversity credits.

·        Policy recommendations for the sustainable use of natural resources.

PeatTransform is being implemented under the European Union cohesion policy programme for 2021–2027, within specific support objective 6.1.1. "Mitigating the economic, social and environmental consequences of the transition to climate neutrality in the most affected regions", measure 6.1.1.2. "Development of research for the sustainable use of natural resources in the context of environmental and climate objectives", with co-financing from the European Union and the Latvian state (6.1.1.2/1/25/A/001).

PeatTransform is aligned with the European Green Deal, the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Fit for 55 climate package, and with the priority of Latvia's Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3) “Knowledge-intensive bioeconomy”